start.exe troubles

[Eric H.]

whenever i open any .exe program, it looks to start.exe to execute it. Therefore, a DOS window flashes real fast and the program doesn't load.

I'm using windows 98 btw, and in folder options -> file association, "Application" is set to start.exe, but it won't let me change it. Other window 98 machines are set to execute. How do I change this? I can't open the registry either, and the same problem happens in safe mode.

If I delete start.exe, it just asks me for the location every time i try to open a .exe. I have the Opaserv virus on my PC, and i've been battling it for about 6 months, and finally today I found a program that will deep scan and remove it. However, its an exe so I can't open it >:|

I've also tried repairing the registry, but to no avail. Any suggestions?

[GaryRouth]

I suspect you may have had more than just the one virus, possibly SirCam as well. If you have a bootable write-protected AntiVirus disk, boot with that, and run a scan from DOS. You can download the latest virus definitons to floppies behorehand if you wish, write protect those also, and use those when running the scan from DOS. Takes a good long while to run a complete scan in DOS, so expect it to possibly run for an hour.

Once you are fairly certain you're virus/worm free - I'd recommend and over-the-top reinstall of Windows. The Opaserv/Brazil viruses just wreak so much havoc you'll be lucky if you don't end up having to completely reformat the drive & start all over. But you should try removal & then an over-the-top first. You won't need to reinstall your programs or lose personal data if the over the top is successful. But if you restore anything from backups, make sure to scan/clean those with AntiVirus tools first. Over-the-top details: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=70846

And here's an information page for Opaserv, just in case you want more detail: http://www.viruslist.com/eng/viruslist.html?id=52256

Best of luck
. . . Gary